Summer Week Three

So this week we have been swimming two times and had two swimming lessons. Tonight is the last night of swimming lessons. The boys have DRASTICALLY improved. I think more than anything, they have gained a lot of confidence in their swimming. Blake is fearless and swimming underwater all the time. I am so glad they love the water. Andy decided last week that he likes it too and now I spend all of my time catching him when he jumps in off the side of the pool.

Blake had his first baseball game this past Saturday and the good news is he had three hits. The bad news is they were all right up the 1st base line and he got out twice. He had fun and that is what counts. It is his first year in coach pitch baseball. He is on the Orioles team and we know three or four of the kids on his team from school.

This week has been a SCORCHER! Temps have been in the mid 90s with heat advisories. I am ready for a break from the heat and mugginess. Supposedly it is coming next week. Running in this heat is unbearable! I ran last night at 9 pm and was dripping wet after one mile.

Our special outing today was supposed to be a trip to the Bubble Show being put on by the library and Children's Explorium. We needed to watch Jenny's kids today, so we didn't get to go. I hope they had fun anyway - no one seems to be complaining!

We started story hour at the library this week. Blake and Carter were in the same class and enjoyed making rain sticks and hearing all the stories about storms. Noah starts his next Tuesday.

We went to see Toy Story 3 last Saturday evening with many of our friends. The best part was that I got two of the tickets FREE!!!! That was from a great deal Tara and I picked up earlier this spring. The boys enjoyed the movie. I confess I cried a bit at the end. I cannot imagine the day when my kiddos go off to college! Praise the Lord we are not there yet!

I am considering a trip to the Children's museum tomorrow. We'll see what happens. If not, we will just play at home. I have a scrapbook night planned tomorrow evening and I CANNOT wait for a few hours to scrapbook and hang out with friends.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Week Two of Summer

Last week was the first full week of Summer! We began with a trip to Kings Island and went to the pool on Tuesday. We had swim lessons and played outside. Starting on Thursday we had Cora and Ellie at our house while Jenny and Jason went camping with the youth at church. We did not do a day trip last week, but we plan to now.

This week has been Vacation Bible School at church. We have been at church every night from 6 until after 9. It has been almost 10 before everyone was ready and in the bed. We are not starting our "TERRIFIC THURSDAYS" until next week, but we are heading over to a friend's pool for the afternoon. I guess that counts as fun, right?

We plan to go to the Louisville Zoo and see the new polar exhibit and Dinosaurs Alive. We want to go to the Frazier International History Museum for the Pirate Exhibit, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory Tour, the Kentucky Horse Park, Fort Harrod State Park, the Children's Explorium in Lexington and perhaps a few more sites along with a few trips to Lake Barkley and one to see my family in SC. All in all this should be a GREAT summer!

Enjoy your day and stay cool!

Taming the Tongue

WOW! What a topic, right? Taming the tongue is a problem addressed THROUGHOUT the bible in both the Old and New Testaments. There are many Proverbs that address it and warn against a loose, vicious, foolish mouth. I would venture to say that people have not mastered this task any better than the people of Jesus' time had. In fact, with the internet, Facebook, blogs, texting and more, I would wonder if it has actually become more of a problem. People consistently "talk" via technology and it is often far easier to say difficult things through those devices and hide behind them.
It is often very difficult to assess someone's tone and intent with their language via an email or text. I know that I have assumed someone meant one thing and in reality they did not. I know my own words have been taken out of context and used to misrepresent my intent from an email.
How then should we proceed?
I have been encouraged lately through reading a series of fictional books by Michael Phillips to continually consider what God's intent for me is in each and every situation. I find myself wondering more and more, "Is this how Christ would want me to react? or "If Jesus were in this situation, would he respond, would he worry about being taken advantage of or would he simply continue to proceed in ministry?".
When I was in high school every one started that whole "WWJD" philosophy about "What Would Jesus Do". I think that was far too pop-culturized, but I do believe the theory to be correct.
Is living the Christian life about a series of dos and donts or about truly seeking out God's will for MY life? I believe it is the latter. Christ preached against the legalism of the Pharisees over and over again. I believe there are universal and absolute truths in the Bible. I also believe that there are areas where God did not exactly spell out for us what to do. It is in these situations that we must follow his leading, seek his will and ask ourselves these questions about what Christ would have done.
Let me give you an example: Several friends of mine (especially those of college age) have sought my advice about drinking alcohol. I have told them repeatedly that I cannot convict them about this. They have to pray about it and ask God what he would have them do. For me personally, I feel that God has convicted me not to drink. I am not imposing that rule on others. I feel that in my role as a mother, wife, Counselor at a Christian school and teacher of various ages at my church that it is not the BEST choice for me to make. I feel that is where he has guided me. I do not see it as a great sacrifice on my part. If God instructed me to give up Mt. Dew forever, then I might have a bigger challenge on my hands! I have many friends who drink socially and see nothing wrong with it. I feel that is their issue to take up before God.
Regarding taming the tongue - sometimes there are certain truths that need to be articulated. Knowing when and where to say them is the real question. Is God instructing me to say this? Is this going to be received or fall on "deaf ears"? Am I driven to say this because I am angry or feel self-righteous? Do I want justice or want to point out that I am right? Do I truly feel motivate to speak out of an encouraging heart?
This is such a big deal for me. I have never had a problem stating my opinion. I am trying to learn the art of keeping my mouth closed unless I feel prompted by God to say something in all circumstances. I am trying to ask myself "does this serve God or his purpose?" and if I hear a resounding "NO!", then I am trying very hard to keep my mouth shut.
As always, this is a constant process and I am having both successes and failures every day. The point it, I have to continue to try :)

Allergies

Noah was complaining yesterday about having to get sunscreen put on before swimming. I was putting the special stuff we have for his face on and he said, "I hate this season! I only like fall and winter." Poor little guy - it must really be bad to be almost 5 and already "hate" a season.

His allergies seem to be better since beginning allergy shots last fall, but he still breaks out some and has to take Benadryl. We hope he can back off medications completely within the year.

Sadly, it seems that Andy has the same skin issues - not a good thing! I hope his will be less severe than Noah's and more easily taken care of with cream and lotion. We just have to wait and see.

For now, we are off to the allergy doctor for Noah's weekly shots or "two little pokes" as he calls them :(

KIngs Island Fun

This weekend we made our annual trek to Kings Island. The boys had a BLAST!

Greg took the older two to the water park as soon as we got there Saturday night. They loved it. Andy and I ventured to Planet Snoopy and he got to ride his first rides. He was such a trooper! He had to ride in his stroller and watch the big kids ride several things he was too little to ride, but seemed content to just watch.

Blake was tall enough (sniff, sniff) to ride the Racers (and Vortex & Beast). He rode with Daddy and loved it. He opted out of trying the other big rides this year. It does not seem possible that he is tall enough for those already! He will definitely be taller than me in no time ;)

Noah was a little disappointed when he was just shy of the height requirement for several of the "bigger kids" rides. He tearfully stood and watched as Carter, Blake and Colby got to ride the Reptar and Surf Dog. To make up for it, I rode the Octopus, Scrambler and Shake, Rattle and Roll over in the Coney Island section several times in a row with him. To say I was a bit dizzy is an understatement!

I was thrilled to ride a few "grownup" rides! We rode Diamondback Saturday night and then again Sunday morning. I must say it is altogether different at night. Either time, the first hill is AMAZING! I felt like I was totally free falling. The Vortex seemed very rough in comparison. My favorite ride, The Beast, was closed for maintenance both times we wanted to ride it.

The weather was perfect! Saturday evening was a little sticky, but Sunday there was a breeze, sunshine and about 75 degree temps! We couldn't have asked for better weather.

All in all, it was fabulous way to kick-off our summer fun!

School's OUT

Well, as of yesterday, Summer has officially begun at our house. We kicked it off with swim lessons and a tball practice for Blake last night after a busy last day of school.

Noah pretty much stood with his hands over his ears throughout the Preschool program.

Blake did not want to sing because he was "embarrassed" when we went to his classroom for end of the year awards.

Andy made it through 4 programs at school without losing his mind - this was a MAJOR accomplishment. We went to the preschool program, Kindergarten graduation for Carter, 1st grade classroom awards and then I had to go to the Middle School/High School awards! He was a trooper!

Today they got to spend all day with their cousins at Ninny's house. My mom and Mere watched all eight kiddos while Jen, Laura and I went to Courtney Britt's bridal luncheon. She is getting married on Sunday evening.

Tonight I got to go to Greg's church softball game without the kids. Mom was at my house and put them all to bed. I almost didn't know what to do with myself when I got to watch the game and chat with other adults! I am so used to being constantly on the lookout for Blake, Noah and Andy. It was nice to simply relax! Thanks, Mom!

All in all, summer has started off with a bang!